Connolly Out Three Weeks

By far the biggest question mark with Brett Connolly when the Lightning took him sixth overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft was his durability. Connolly was coming off a 16 game season in 2009-2010 because of two hip injuries. Though doctors cleared the young sniper before the draft, Connolly slid from a possible No.3 pick to what some called a gamble at No.6.

Connolly has put his injuries behind him this year to the tune of 25 goals in 34 games and being chosen for Team Canada at the World Junior tournament.

Now, just four games back from his time in Buffalo, Connolly is hitting the injured list again. Prince George's leading scorer was involved in a knee-on-knee collision with Steve Oursov of the Chilliwack Bruins Wednesday and the Prince George Citizen is reporting he suffered a sprained knee. No penalty was called on the play, though Cougars coach Dean Clark says Oursov could be suspended. The Citizen says Connolly tried to skate after the collision but was quickly escorted to the locker room for further evaluation.

He will miss a minimum of three weeks and could miss up to six.

â€œItâ€™s very unfortunate, Brett obviously went through some injury woes last year and this is another setback for him, but certainly nothing like last year,â€ Clark told the Citizen. â€œItâ€™s just a matter of him doing the hard work and getting the rehab done and heâ€™ll come back when heâ€™s ready.â€